Olivers to Receive 2010 Barber Award
2010-07-19
Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver were recently named as the 2010 recipients of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship. The Award presentation will take place on Monday, July 26 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin during EAA’s Airventure.
The Olivers were singled out for their air show showmanship and their longstanding commitment to the air show industry.
Steve and Suzanne become the 24th recipients of prestigious award presented each year by World Air Show News Magazine and the friends and family of air show legend Bill Barber. Other past recipients include Bob Hoover, Jimmy Franklin, Leo Loudenslager, Michael Goulian, Julie Clark, Sean Tucker, Patty Wagstaff, John Mohr, the French Connection, Jim LeRoy, Dan Buchanan, and the Red Baron Stearman Squadron.
URGENT: U.S. Military Jet Team Request Deadline Approaches
2010-07-16
Event organizers requesting the participation of the USAF Thunderbirds or U.S. Navy Blue Angels at their air shows during the 2011 (Thunderbirds) or 2012 (Blue Angels) seasons must submit their DD Form 2535 not later than August 1 to be considered by either team.
Please remember that air shows applying to have the Blue Angels perform at their show during the 2012 air show season must submit their applications by August 1, 2010. The team’s 2012 schedule will be developed this fall and released during the 2010 ICAS Convention, December 5-8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Later this summer, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will begin using a similar two-year cycle when they request applications for both 2011 and 2012.
“This is a recent, but very important change in the air show planning cycle,” says ICAS President John Cudahy. “We want to make sure that the change does not cause any ICAS member shows to miss this important request deadline. If you want to host the Thunderbirds in 2011, you need to submit your request by August 1 of this year. And if you want the Blue Angels to perform at your show in 2012, you must submit that request by August, 2010, as well.”
Be advised: YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST BLUE ANGEL PARTICIPATION IN 2012 OR THUNDERBIRD PARTICIPATION IN 2011 ONCE THE AUGUST 1, 2010 DEADLINE PASSES.
Applicants are encouraged to use the AUG 2007 edition of DD Form 2535. Requests for the Blue Angels should be sent to Navy Office of Community Outreach, Attn: Aviation Support, 5722 Integrity Drive, Building 456-3, Millington, Tennessee 38054, phone 901-874-5803, fax 901-874-5813. Requests for the Thunderbirds should be sent to Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs (SAF/PA) 1690 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330, phone 703-695-9664, fax 703-693-9601.
Blue Angels Select New Team Members for 2011 Season
2010-07-16
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels recently announced the names of officers who will join the team for the 2011 air show season.
As announced earlier this year, the new team lead will be Commander David Koss of Orange Park, Florida, currently serving as commanding officer of the VFA-14 “Top Hatters” based at NAS Lemoore in California. Major Brent Stevens, currently assigned to VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, and Lieutenant David Tickle, current assigned to VT-7 in Meridien, Mississippi, will also join the team as F/A-18 Hornet pilots.
Lieutenant Todd Royles, currently assigned to VFA-41 at NAS Lemoore, will join the team as the team’s event coordinator. Captain John Hecker, currently assigned to VT-6 at NAS Whiting Field in Florida, will join the team as a C-130 pilot.
The team’s new maintenance officer will be Lieutenant Richard Mecado, currently based at NAS Jacksonville in Florida. The new flight surgeon will be Lieutenant Jason Smith, currently serving at NAS North Island in California. And the new public affairs officer will be Lieutenant Katie Kelly who is just finishing up a tour at the Navy Office of Information West.
Marines Announce Dates for Harrier, Osprey Selection Board
2010-07-16
The U.S. Marine Corps will conduct its annual selection board on November 4 to determine which events in calendar year 2011 will receive an AV-8B Harrier demonstration or a MV-22 Osprey static display.
Those interested in seeking a Harrier demonstration or an Osprey static display for their event during 2011 must submit their completed request via the website: www.marines.mil/community, no later than Oct. 15, 2010.
Thunderbirds Select New Team Members for 2011 Season
2010-06-23
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds recently announced incoming officer selections for the 2011 demonstration season.
Captain Ryan Riley, an F-16 pilot stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, will join the team as the left wing for the squadron as Thunderbird Number 2.
Captain Nicholas Holmes, an F-16 pilot stationed at Luke Air Force Base, will serve as the slot for the squadron as Thunderbird Number 4.
Captain John Williams, an F-15 pilot stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, will take over as the opposing solo, Thunderbird Number 6.
Lieutenant Colonel Jason Koltes, an F-16 pilot serving at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will join the team as the operations officer, Thunderbird Number 7.
Captain Joshua Hawkins, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will become the new executive officer, as Thunderbird Number 10.
Major Jason Moore, currently stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, will serve as the maintenance officer, Thunderbird Number 11.
ICAS Schedules Academy Programs for Portland, Fort Worth
2010-06-01
Once again this year, ICAS will offer two different hands-on learning programs held in conjunction with annual air shows. The traditional ICAS Air Show Academy program will be held on August 19, 20 and 21 in conjunction with the Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Oregon. The ICAS Air Boss Academy will be held on October 28, 29 and 30 in conjunction with the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. Widely recognized to be among the most effective, efficient and enjoyable continuing education programs that ICAS offers, both Academy programs focus on providing air show professionals with practical, hands-on information in a format and environment that is extremely conducive to learning and retention.
Since 1999, ICAS has been offering the Air Show Academy program to a small (not more than 25) group of ICAS members interested in getting a look at how one particular show organizes and manages its event. After an orientation meeting on Thursday evening, participants will spend Friday and Saturday talking with organizers and getting an up-close look at how the Oregon International Air Show runs their event. During the lecture portion of the program, directors with specific expertise about different aspects of the show will provide briefings, followed by the opportunity for questions and discussion.
The ICAS Air Boss Academy is a shameless knock-off of the successful and popular ICAS Air Show Academy program. Developed using the same basic formula and offered for the first time in 2009, the 2010 ICAS Air Boss Academy will use the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show as an opportunity to pass along important air boss-related information to current and prospective air bosses. Response to last year’s inaugural ICAS Air Boss Academy held at MCAS Miramar in San Diego was overwhelmingly positive. We have made a few minor adjustments to last year’s program based on feedback and experience, and the 2010 session promises to be even better than last year’s.
The fee to participate in either one of these unique educational programs is $300 per individual. Because there is limited space available and the programs are very popular, they are both expected to sell out this year. To learn more about or register for the 2010 ICAS Air Show Academy at the Oregon International Air Show in August, click here. To learn more about or register for the 2010 ICAS Air Boss Academy in Fort Worth, Texas click here.
Smoke Squadron to Make Return Visit to North America
2010-05-12
After a successful one-show visit to North America in 2009, the Brazilian Esquadrilha da Fumaça, or “Smoke Squadron” will make an encore visit to the United States and Canada this year. Brazil’s military formation team will perform at the Windsor International Air Show in Windsor, Ontario on August 21 and 22; at the Thunder over the Boardwalk Air Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 25; and at the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on August 28 and 29.
Established in 1952, the team flies the T-27 Tucano, a military training aircraft built by Embrear in Brazil.
Snowbirds Move to Two-Year Schedule
2010-05-10
Beginning this coming December, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will move to a two-year schedule that allows them to announce their scheduled show dates 17-23 months in advance.
"The two year schedule is an excellent initiative that will assist air shows in long term planning for a successful event," said Colonel Michel Latouche, Canadian Air Force Liaison to the ICAS Board of Directors.
By providing air shows with much more advanced notice of the team’s plans to perform at particular shows, industry experts believe that the entire air show business benefits. Scheduling issues, sponsorship solicitation and many other aspects of the air show planning process are expected to be improved and simplified.
In December of 2010, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will announce their 2011 and 2012 performance schedules. In December of 2011, the team will announce its 2013 schedule. In December of every year thereafter, the team will announce dates for the season that begins 17 months later.
In this first transition year, air shows interested in hosting the Snowbirds are asked to submit requests for both 2011 and 2012. Air show event organizers are asked to visit the Canadian Forces air show coordination website (www.airshows.forces.gc.ca) to make their requests for both 2011 and 2012 as soon as possible. If you have questions, event organizers have been asked to send an e-mail message to specialevents@forces.gc.ca. Someone from Special Events Coordination will respond your question or request.
The Snowbirds become the second North American military jet team to move to the two-year scheduling process; the U.S. Navy Blue Angels made a similar change in December of 2009.
Koss Selected to Lead Blues in 2011-2012
2010-04-28
Commander David E. Koss will assume command of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in November of 2010 and lead the team through the 2011 and 2012 air show seasons.
Currently serving as commanding officer of strike fighter squadron VFA-14 in Lemoore, California, Koss was selected from among a group of seven finalists by a panel of admirals and former team members.
Commander Greg McWherter, the team’s current commanding officer, will turn over leadership of the team to Koss during a change of command ceremony following the Blue Angels’ final show of the season in Pensacola on November 14.
Early Indications: Attendance Strong Again in 2010
2010-04-21
Although the early reports this year are not quite as dramatic as they were at the beginning of the 2009 season, it does appear that last year’s trend toward higher attendance is continuing into the early part of the 2010 North American air show season.
For example, representatives from the NAF El Centro Air Show held March 13 and 14 reported a 14 percent increase vs. 2009. Air Fiesta 2010 in Brownsville, Texas (March 13 and 14) estimated that attendance was twice as large as their last show. The last open house at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson was held in 2007. Organizers estimated that their crowd this year (March 19-21) was more than 50 percent larger than the last show held there. MacDill AFB (March 20 and 21) reported that they were well on their way to breaking previous attendance records before bad weather kept people away on a gloomy Sunday in Tampa. And ICAS has heard similar reports from shows in Georgia, California, Texas, and Alabama.
These reports of increased crowd size are not universal. And, just like last year, these reports of large crowds are offset in many cases by decreased sponsor revenue. But it is encouraging that, in many markets, air shows continue to be seen as a source of cost-effective, world-class, family entertainment.
Not Too Early to Make 2010 Convention Plans
2010-04-19
ICAS members can now register for the 2010 ICAS Convention. For preliminary information on the convention and the registration process, click here. To actually register for the convention, click here.
We’ve made some small changes to the ICAS Marketing Competition this year. The dividing line between small shows and large shows has been moved to 50,000 spectators to better balance out the categories. We added a new category: Best Overall Air Show Marketing Plan. And we eliminated several others: event brochure, performer press kit, souvenir programs, and sponsor solicitation package. To get additional details about the 2010 ICAS Marketing Competition, click here.
The 2010 ICAS Convention will once again be held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. As it did last year, the hotel is once again offering an early bird discount rate. To learn more about the host hotel for the 2010 ICAS Convention, click here. To make your hotel room reservation at this discounted rate, click here.
In addition, for ICAS Convention delegates who show their badge at the hotel during the convention, ICAS has negotiated a ten percent discount at all Paris restaurants and a rate of $15 per day for access to the hotel’s fitness center (standard rate: $25).
Thunderbirds change command for 2010, 2011 air show seasons
2010-02-25
Lieutenant Colonel Case “Basket” Cunningham (right) took command of the Thunderbirds on January 15 at the team’s Nellis AFB hangar. Cunningham replaces Lieutenant Colonel Greg Thomas who led the team through the 2008 and 2009 air show seasons. He is shown here accepting command from Brigadier General Russell J. Handy, 57th Wing Commander.
Cunningham graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994. Before his assignment to the team, he was the Director of Operations for the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall AFB, the squadron responsible for training pilots in the F-22A Raptor. He has logged more than 2,000 hours with more than 1,800 hours in the F-15C, F-22A, and F-16C.
He becomes the 33rd leader of the Thunderbirds.
